Looking for the glorious hope

When I saw this picture I thought of Simeon.  ^“Behold, there was an old man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel (the coming of the promised Messiah): and the HOLY SPIRIT was upon him’ (Luke 2:25). 

Now in the Old Testament days the HOLY SPIRIT would come upon certain people for specific reasons but did not indwell believers as HE does today.  Today the HOLY SPIRIT not only indwells believers but will also come up believers with a special anointing for specific work GOD has for them to do.  But that special anointing comes and goes, just as it did in the Old Testament, while the indwelling of believers today seals us to GOD until the day of Redemption (Ephesians 4:40).

Back to Simeon…

“The Holy SPIRIT revealed to Simeon, that he should not see death, before he had seen the LORD’s CHRIST /Messiah, anointed ONE” (Luke 2:26).

Simeon clung to that promise and one day, prompted by the Holy SPIRIT, Simeon went to the temple at the precise time Mary and Joseph came with the baby JESUS (Luke 2:27).

The moment the old man saw JESUS he recognized that the baby JESUS was the Messiah!

He took the baby JESUS into his arms and blessed HIM and his praise rose up to bless GOD in heaven saying, “Now YOU may release me in peace for according to YOUR word my eyes have seen YOUR salvation, which YOU have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to YOUR people Israel” (Luke 2:25-32).

How did Simeon recognize that JESUS was the Messiah? We are told: 1) he did right and was devoted to GOD 2) he looked for the promise of the Messiah. Simeon spent time with GOD and got to know GOD’s voice (that still small whisper). 3) the HOLY SPIRIT was on Simeon 4) Simeon’s attitude must have pleased the MOST HIGH for GOD gave him the promise that he would not die until he saw the Messiah come. 5) We also know he obeyed the nudges of the HOLY SPIRIT, evidenced by his entering the temple (by the SPIRIT) just when Mary and Joseph arrived to have JESUS presented unto the LORD according to the Law.

As we enter into this new year- I want to be like Simeon and 1) I cling to and look for the promise of the appearing of our LORD JESUS for HIS church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)  2) spend much time with GOD in HIS word and prayer for in HIS presence there is peace and the more time I spend with HIM the better I can recognize HIS voice.  3) HIS words always direct me and motivate me to do right.  4) I have learned to obey the HOLY SPIRIT’s leading for I have seen over and over there is always a good reason that HE prods me forward or holds me back.  

Yes, I want to please the LORD, but I also know those who walk by the SPIRIT recognize what others cannot see. For GOD reveals HIS secrets to those who obey HIM and seek HIM with all their hearts for they are the ones who love HIM and are HIS friends (Psalm 25:14, Proverbs 3:32, John 15:15).

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our Savior JESUS CHRIST (Titus 2:13).  Will you join me?

Hugs,

Sharon

Woke up with a song

Isaiah 50:4…  HE wakens (me) morning by morning, HE wakens my ear to hear as the learned.

Psalm 40:3  And HE (GOD) has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our GOD: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

I woke up this morning singing. “O come let us adore HIM, O come let us adore HIM, O come let us adore HIM CHRIST the LORD.

All the secular reasons/ counsel of the world (Psalm 1:1) that would dismiss the import of this, like I heard Christmas music before bed don’t match my reality.  I know it was not from me.  The chorus came up from within me, just as sometimes the right Bible verse will come up when I need it.

Now we Christians know that all who believe in JESUS have received the HOLY GHOST who will be like a well of water springing up within us and overflowing (John 7:38-39),  It is the SPIRIT who leads us and teaches us interpreting GOD’s thoughts (1 Corinthians 2:10-13), as well as bears HIS fruit within us and writes in our hearts and minds GOD’s desires (Hebrews 10:16, Philippians 2:13) so we will know what GOD wants in specific ways.

We do know GOD tells us to sing (Ephesians 5:19) and that GOD HIMSELF sings (Zephaniah 3:17).

I believe that chorus came up from within me as the HOLY SPIRIT sang it out.  In this time as Christians have more opportunities to tell how the babe in the manger was GOD HIMSELF come to save the world (mankind).  I am thinking that both the HOLY SPIRIT and GOD the FATHER are leading us in song praising and adoring our LORD JESUS.

Scripture shows us how each of the Trinity honors the others.  It seems THEY are celebrating the great sacrifice of JESUS (the eternal WORD of GOD- John 1:1-4, 14) for taking on a human body to reveal what the MOST HIGH Triune GOD is really like and to die for the sins of mankind so they could be forgiven and made ready to live eternally with GOD, as well as destroy the works of the devil.

It is now night and the chorus and even occasionally the stanzas of “O come all ye faithful” / Adeste Fideles still ring in my heart and I find myself singing. 

I shared this thought and a friend mentioned that a different song of praise to JESUS was doing the same to her.  Just as GOD relates to us individually, so I imagine the songs of praise HE gives us are unique to the one HE gives them to.  It is so neat how each of us are so special to HIM.

These are just my thoughts.

Hugs

Sharon